Art Van reveals design of 'flagship' store in Canton

Art Van Furniture has revealed the new design of what will become a company "flagship" store in Canton — and it's a dramatic departure from other Michigan stores.

It marks the first time in 15 years that the Michigan-based company has decided to build a new store "from the ground up" in Michigan, project manager Lana Vrubel said.

"It will be considered a 'flagship' store," Vrubel said Tuesday.

Construction of the two-story, 71,333-square-foot store is expected to begin early next year on Ford Road, just west of Haggerty, across from IKEA. The store is expected to open in late 2017 and employ about 60 people.

The project received the go-ahead Tuesday evening as a supportive Canton Township Board of Trustees approved a site plan proposal for the site, which involves demolishing a medical office building fronting Ford Road and, behind that, a vacant, two-story structure that once housed businesses and a racquetball club.

In a move to address traffic issues, Art Van plans to design a driveway that lines up with an existing IKEA traffic light, township Supervisor Phil LaJoy said.

Some residents have voiced concerns about ongoing traffic congestion along Ford Road. To be sure, the new Art Van store will be built near Ford and Haggerty, one of the most accident-prone intersections in Wayne County and the state of Michigan. However, officials say the decision to make the IKEA traffic light a full-fledged intersection should help.

Diane Charles, Art Van vice president of corporate communications, has said the company chose Canton's Ford Road business corridor because "it's a great location." The site is just west of the Black Rock restaurant.

The store will include amenities such as Scott Shuptrine Interiors, a Pure Sleep mattress section, Art Van flooring and a clearance center for budget-conscious customers.

LaJoy has called it "great news" that Art Van decided to build its flagship store in Canton.

The store will be built with brick, glass and architectural metal panels. Art Van developed its plans with the engineering firm Kimley-Horn of Michigan and Neumann-Smith Architecture.